2_Cincinnati Bengals2

New Orleans Saints Gameday HQ

A.J. Green
SCOREBOARD
ANDY LYONS/GETTY IMAGES SPORT
2013 2012 2011 2010 2009
PLAYOFF FINISH WC WC WC - WC
REGULAR SEASON W-L 11-5 10-6 9-7 4-12 10-6
POINTS PER GAME 26.8 24.4 21.5 20.1 19.0
POINTS ALLOWED PER GAME 19.0 20.0 20.1 24.6 18.1
YARDS PER GAME 368.1 332.6 319.8 330.5 309.1
YARDS ALLOWED PER GAME 305.5 319.6 316.2 332.0 301.3
TURNOVERS 30 25 19 31 23
TAKEAWAYS 31 30 22 26 25
quarterback ever with 10 or more starts. If Dalton can continue
to perform and stay healthy through the regular season, all
eyes will be on him in the postseason. That’s how the elite
quarterbacks are ultimately judged.
Bengals Defense
After 12 years as an NFL head coach (the last 10 spent with
the Bengals), Paul Guenther will be taking over over as the team’s
defensive coordinator. Guenther spent the last two seasons as
the linebackers coach, aiding in the development of 2013 Pro
Bowl linebacker Vontaze Burfict.
Guenther is an out-of-the-box thinker who is likely to install
a complex scheme with the intent on putting a ton of pressure on
the opposing quarterback. The Bengals’ rushing defense allowed
only six touchdowns to cap off drives last season. Overall, the
Bengals gave up 28 touchdowns. In their playoff loss, they
allowed a pair of rushing touchdowns.
Nose tackle Domata Peko emerged as a major presence
last season with 52 tackles and three sacks. When Pro Bowl
performer Geno Atkins went down with an injury, Brandon
Thompson elevated his level of play with a career-high 23
tackles. That experience should pay dividends this season.
Cincinnati’s secondary could wind up having a large impact,
especially with the addition of first round pick Darqueze
Dennard. Head coach Marvin Lewis told reporters that Dennard
is the “best rookie corner I’ve seen.” High praise indeed. Terence
Newman and Adam “Pacman” Jones are back along with George
Iloka, a fifth-round pick in 2012. If Leon Hall can rebound (Hall
missed the last nine games in 2013 with an achilles injury) to
have a big season, it will stabilize the secondary even more.
When the Bengals’ defense is stingy, they have a much better
chance to win on a consistent basis. It also alleviates the pressure
on the offense, which is always crucial.
Defensive Player to Watch
It’s hard to believe that Burfict went undrafted two years
ago out of Arizona State University. Burfict has compiled 298
tackles, four sacks and one interception in his first two seasons.
He also has a knack for making huge plays at key points in the
game. Burfict earned a spot in the Pro Bowl last season and
looks primed to repeat the feat. With some changes on defense,
Key Additions:
QB Jason Campbell, OT Marshall Newhouse, S Danieal Manning
Key Subtractions:
QB Josh Johnson, WR Andrew Hawkins, OT Anthony Collins, C Kyle
Cook, DE Michael Johnson, OLB James Harrison, CB Brandon Ghee
Rookies:
CB Darqueze Dennard, RB Jeremy Hill, DE Will Clarke, OL Russell
Bodine, QB A.J. McCarron, LB Marquis Flowers, WR James Wright,
CB Lavelle Westbrooks
however, Burfict will be asked to take on a larger role. If he can
tackle the challenge and lead this defense, they’ll benefit in
many ways. Burfict collected 171 tackles alone last season and
developed at such a rapid pace. It may be tough to improve on
what he accomplished last season.
Bengals Special Teams
Kicker Mike Nugent was 18 for 22 on field goals and 52
for 53 on extra points last season. Nugent didn’t get a lot of
work in terms of field goal attempts, but he proved to be quite
accurate. He was 7-for-9 from 40 to 49 yards and 3 for 4 from 50
yards and beyond.
Punter Kevin Huber was very consistent and didn’t have one
punt blocked all season. Huber also did a nice job of pinning the
opposition deep in their territory.
Prediction
Another winning record should be the goal for the Bengals.
Going 11-5 again with at least one playoff win is a realistic
expectation for the Bengals. The defense needs to start the
season strong so Dalton doesn’t have to put up gargantuan
offensive numbers. Overall, this is a very good football
team on paper.